January 31st away Townswnd Bowls

After only their second league victory of the season hopes were high that the Rose & Crown could now drive on and secure their place in the top flight for next season. Perhaps they could take heart that they finally ended a run of thirteen straight pairs defeats and a losing sequence that started against tonight’s opponents back in late September. Back then the Rose went down 5-4 in a nip n tuck encounter that went to the wire (literally) just losing out in the final game of a long evening.

Hopefully the worst of the winter weather was behind us now and the Kitchen at tonight’s opponents, Townsend Bowls Club had taken heed that Tesco’s burgers contained quantities of horsemeat not to mention the detritus that makes up the rest of your burger and chips. Not that I’m suggesting that Townsend Bowls club would harbour such gourmet cuisine in the first place, in fact if memory serves me correctly there is usually a vast array of sandwiches with all manner of different fillings consisting of egg, egg and yes you guessed it egg. It’s fair to say that it has never been the most salubrious of establishments although it seems to have tried to reinvent itself recently by moving the dartboard and with it the oche but let’s face it the oche generally moves of its volition anyway. I suspect though the reason for the move was not that to remove it from underneath the giant television that belts out the theme tune to all manner of programmes that no one is remotely interested in but in fact I suspect the truth of the matter behind the move was its close proximity to the members lounge.

By half past nine just as the waft of the egg sandwiches was getting under the noses of all present this match, in truth was over, The Rose & Crown had once again surrendered all 3 pairs matches and were tasked with an all too familiar uphill struggle, one that they found yet again insurmountable. The visitors may have only lost by the odd leg yet again, going down 5-4 but the hosts didn’t have to play their hand and cantered to victory, Big Ron really the only shining light for the visitors hinted at a comeback in the first singles of the night but the revival was short lived and the hosts reeled of the next couple to secure the match and with it perhaps the fate of the St. Michaels outfit.

January 17th 2013 Home V White Lion

With the country gripped by fear of what could possibly by complete whiteout, the Rose & Crown were taking on the White Lion and hoping to avoid another whitewash as befell them the previous week when they went down at home 9-0 to the Inn on The Green. Souls were searched and memories checked in a bid to try and recall the last time they had received such a hammering. The stalwarts of the team all just shook their heads unable to think of such an occasion but most likely their grey matter was unable to recall events more than 6 months prior, in fact when quizzed most could not remember what they had for tea that evening never mind a result against the flights in 1996. And so it came to pass that never before had The Rose & Crown lost by such a margin.
The run of straight pairs defeats now extended to a record thirteen however and was most certainly undisputable, as is a run of 7 league defeats stretching back to September 27th.
So with the unwanted stats stacking up the very real possibility of relegation to the second tier of St. Albans darts the Rose were going to have to try and turn their season around somehow. This they did and they did it in style, The Brothers Grimm (Kevin and Ian) finally chalking up a pairs victory not only ending a miserable run but unwittingly in the process giving the home side a 1 leg lead. This was quickly followed up and before the Rose knew what was happening the unthinkable had happened and they had raced away into a three leg lead. Neil Crosby was an early casualty in the singles and must now surely be contemplating a life off of the oche and closer to the chalkboard. But this was just a minor setback and when Ian went on to secure the victory the relief could be seen coursing through Skipper Alan Turner’s veins after masterminding an if not memorable victory but certainly one of the most important.
And so the Rose kick off the second half of the season with a victory, only their second victory of the season but this is the time now to build on that success and try to gain the momentum needed to push away from the foot of the table. It’s not all been doom and gloom as some would have you believe for the most part the Rose & Crown have given a good account of themselves and but for a fair wind and a bit of good fortune could have had more points on the board but as the great Syd Wardell said “They’re just like long John Silver, unlucky and short of a leg.

January 3rd 2013 away v Crooked Billet

So with Christmas and the New Year celebrations well and truly behind them, seemingly washed away by the heavy rains that swept in across the Atlantic for what seemed like an eternity the Rose & Crown resumed their faltering season with the distraction of a 1st round cup tie away to the Crooked Billet.
For those of you that are not aware, the Crooked Billet lies in the village of Colney Heath, one of St. Albans furthest outposts that until recent times was only accessible by horse and cart and in extreme weather only by the river Colne (if you had a suitable inflatable device) so you never know what awaits you. The half time spread could sometimes consist of carrot and Celery Sticks, the odd pickled onion and even an ear or two of corn. None the less this was a chance for the Rose & Crown to put the troubles of 2012 behind them and lay down a marker for the rest of the season.
With Skipper Alan Turner struck down by illness along with the Director of Darts and the whereabouts of Neil "the dude" Crosby unknown it seemed the troubles of last year were not banished as one hoped. But with Dave Noble making his own transport arrangements as did Big Ron, club secretary John Goode was hopeful that a full team of six would be available and with that along with the reappearance of the Dude it was decided that we would set sail for Colney Heath.
Stand in skipper Paul Mullins pulled no punches selecting the pairs and indeed the first single. Sending Brothers Grimm off first followed by John and Neil then Paul and Big Ron.
The Rose & Crown were aiming (I use the term loosely) to secure their first pairs victory since November 22nd, an unprecedented run of some seven consecutive straight pairs defeats. First up The Brothers Grimm but Wally has been in great form of late and saw off the challenge with ease to give the home side the advantage. Next up Neil and John who faired no better, 2-0 the home side. Mulls and Big Ron next up hoping to turn the tide and perhaps would of done so had Mulls nailed the double 8 in the second leg, 3-0 the home side. So, ten straight pairs defeats for the Rose & Crown, there are no records kept but I suspect that this is one albeit an unwanted one and with the Blackberry Jacks up next (formerly Inn on The Green) its difficult to see where the next one is in fact coming from.
So if the Visitors were going to get anything out of this match they would have to do it the hard way. So when Dave Noble defeated Ashley Ralph in a thrilling first singles I think for the first time in a few weeks there was a slight flicker of belief that they could earn something out of this game even of this was self respect and it wasn't doused even when the dude came back empty handed for even the Dude showed some fight and spirit going down 2-1 to Derek Ralph and perhaps could consider himself unlucky not to come away with the spoils. Mulls chalked another one on the board for the visitors with a straight forward 2-0 victory which was followed by Ian Oakman who ran out the victor in yet another thriller to reduce the home sides advantage to just one leg. The belief now was coursing thoughh the veins of the visitors who were producing by far the most noise of the two teams.
So with two to play it was a choice of Kev or an out of sorts Big Ron. Stand in Skipper Mulls opted for Kev opting to save Big Ron to face Wally. But despite a brave performance from Kev it was not to be and the Rose & Crowns unlikely comeback was over.
Far from being down hearted the visitors should go away heads held high, for it would have been easy to throw in the towel at 3-0 but spurred on by Dave Noble who got them off the mark the visitors seemed to grow in confidence and began to fight for every leg that was on offer. If the same fight can be carried forward surely they will avoid the fate in the league that currently awaits them.